Our run D won't dominate unless the DL is raping, but we've been pretty good against some dangerous running teams. Our run D is one of my lesser worries. Way behind our passing game being able to take over when it has to against the top teams, our secondary getting healthy down the stretch and there being enough pressure on the team to get a run going here and not backing into the playoffs like we would've if Washington and Dallas completely imploded like the Iggles.

Luckily the NFL doesn't have any really dominant teams right now, the best in both conferences are deeply flawed, even more than we are. The Packers defense is awful and the OL is playing like **** to. The Bears OL makes even our OL from last year look competent, even Jay Cutler is getting killed behind that group, their defense relies on a few key stars, an injury to whom sinks the whole unit. The Falcons aren't a great team, their defense is solid, as is Ryan, but their Receivers are the only scare part of that team, and I think we could rattle Ryan more then enough for Eli to outpace what Ryan can do with Julio and Rhoddy. The 9ers don't have the QB and nobody else in the NFC is a real threat.

In the AFC the top teams are even more flawed as the Ravens don't just have to overcome Joe Flacco, but their Defensive injuries have really drained a unit that wasn't aging great already. The Steelers have a turribad OL, the D is no longer scary and they play down to the pressure just as bad as we do. The Texans still don't know if Schaub will be able to win them big playoff games in the dying moments and the D lost a lot when Cushing went down. The Pats D is awful and they haven't been as scary on O. Denver's probably the best in the AFC and their defense is much more of a weakness than ours', even with Miller and Doom playing well.

We're flawed, but so's the competition. If the pressure is on and we're getting healthier, as it appears to be the case, this team could totally go on a run to get in and then go deep.

__________________
BK

Quote:

Originally Posted by AcheTen

JPP is a better and more productive player than Brandon Graham

Quote:

Originally Posted by abaddon41_80

Is Shaun Hill a top 10 QB? Definitely not. Is he a top 20 one? Almost certainly.

I am disappointed that we haven't been able to get more pressure from our defensive line.

last year we had 48 sacks, 20 int, 15 FF

this year through 13 games we have 31 sacks, 20 int, 16 FF
and pace for 38 sacks, 25 int, 20 FF this season.

I guess most people would be happy to trade 10 sacks for 10 turnovers, put looking at the numbers are deceptive. I don't think too many fans would consider this year's defence to be better.

I expected to be able to continue to get a lot of pressure from our highly touted DEs.
Looking at it further, our DEs (counting Kiwi as a DE) have 19.5 sacks between them (on pace for 24) compare that to last year when Tuck, JPP, Osi and Tollefson combined for 35.5 sacks.

Our DTs, LBs and DBs conversely are on pace for 8.5/4.5/0 this year as opposed to 6/5.5/1 last season.

I know teams have schemed against us and Tuck is declining, but losing 1/3 of the sack production from our DEs is my big concern heading into the playoffs.

Our run D won't dominate unless the DL is raping, but we've been pretty good against some dangerous running teams. Our run D is one of my lesser worries. Way behind our passing game being able to take over when it has to against the top teams, our secondary getting healthy down the stretch and there being enough pressure on the team to get a run going here and not backing into the playoffs like we would've if Washington and Dallas completely imploded like the Iggles.

Luckily the NFL doesn't have any really dominant teams right now, the best in both conferences are deeply flawed, even more than we are. The Packers defense is awful and the OL is playing like **** to. The Bears OL makes even our OL from last year look competent, even Jay Cutler is getting killed behind that group, their defense relies on a few key stars, an injury to whom sinks the whole unit. The Falcons aren't a great team, their defense is solid, as is Ryan, but their Receivers are the only scare part of that team, and I think we could rattle Ryan more then enough for Eli to outpace what Ryan can do with Julio and Rhoddy. The 9ers don't have the QB and nobody else in the NFC is a real threat.

In the AFC the top teams are even more flawed as the Ravens don't just have to overcome Joe Flacco, but their Defensive injuries have really drained a unit that wasn't aging great already. The Steelers have a turribad OL, the D is no longer scary and they play down to the pressure just as bad as we do. The Texans still don't know if Schaub will be able to win them big playoff games in the dying moments and the D lost a lot when Cushing went down. The Pats D is awful and they haven't been as scary on O. Denver's probably the best in the AFC and their defense is much more of a weakness than ours', even with Miller and Doom playing well.

We're flawed, but so's the competition. If the pressure is on and we're getting healthier, as it appears to be the case, this team could totally go on a run to get in and then go deep.

I agree with most of this but I have to add that Seattle looks like a very dangerous team.

With the Bears' continued regression, the Seahawks have the #1 defense in the NFC, imho.

If they can manage to win the NFC West (by winning out and watching SF lose to NE this week), and get the #2 seed somehow (if the Packers falter), then I could see them ending up hosting the NFC CG in their brutal homefield advantage stadium. With that defense, and their efficient offense, and that homefield advantage, I'd actually consider them the favorite to reach the Super Bowl in the NFC.

I think we'll committee it, Bennett is more of a threat at TE than anyone we've had since Shockey. Randle in a simplified role, like Mario's was, can make some plays, and Hixon can do his part to.

With the adding threat of the running game that we didn't have last year, our offense can beat anybody.

I think Eli trusts Hixon the most at this point so that's why I think he's important. I love what BU has done for us up to this point but there is still some miscommunication between him and Eli. Randle is meh for the rest of this year.

Doesn't sound good for Prince playing this weekend. Could end up being a huge blow going against White and Jones.

Oh man that is awful. Awful, awful timing for this. Damn it.

Regarding the Seahawks, I do agree they have the best defense in the NFL but with the pending PED suspension their D would lose two vital starters, and with a solid, but not spectacular Wilson at the helm of the offense I see them as nothing more than a solid. I can't see them going far this year. If Wilson improves and the D maintains its swagger they are team to watch out for next year.

Well Seattle is also in the race for a possible wild card so I don't see the problem in discussing them. It's a shame the replacements gave them that W otherwise 10 wins would pretty much assure of a playoff spot no matter what.

Let's worry about our own team before we worry about who we play in the playoffs.

Right now, I still feel like the Redskins still have the upper hand on us bc their schedule is cake, and assuming we both finish 10-6 they win in tie breakers.

Well said, we need to take care of business ourselves first and while all our games are winnable, we are going to need to play well (yes I'm including the Eagles). Both Dallas and Washington have easier runs home and have tiebreakers over us.

I can see the Redskins beating both Cleveland and the Eagles plus the Cowboys beating Pittsburgh and Saints.

I really hope we don't under estimate the Eagles. I have a bad feeling they show up big time to send off Andy Reid and play their best game of the season to beat us (playing down to our competition) and sending the winner of Dallas/Washington into the playoffs as the division winner. Even at 10-6 we may not make a wildcard spot with Chicago and Seattle in the mix.

First up we have to take care of business this weekend, otherwise it could quickly become academic. Thats not going to be easy against the Falcons. It is almost sudden death now for us.